The hosts were awarded a penalty on 26 minutes when former Spireite Harvey Araujo was judged to have blocked Ryan Stirk’s cross with his arm and referee Simon Mather pointed to the spot. Will Grigg stepped up to send goalkeeper Matt Macey the wrong way.
And it was 2-0 six minutes before half-time when Dilan Markanday blasted in from the edge of the box after some good work by James Berry.
Substitute Lee Bonis added a third moments after coming on to seal a comfortable and deserved victory to move the Blues back into the top seven.
Here are our player ratings from the game...
5. Malik Owolabi-Belewu 8
Malik Owolabi-Belewu 8 Given an unexpected debut because of Pearce's absence. And he grabbed it with both hands. A man of the match performance and a standing ovation. A different type of player to the one he replaced but his strength and aggression in duels got Town out of trouble a couple of times. Comfortable in possession, too. Photo: Tina Jenner
6. Sammy Braybrooke 8
Sammy Braybrooke 8 Lots of touches, passes and dribbles for Luka Modric's gloves-wearing twin. He ran the game. Assisted the second and got the 'pre-assist' for the third. Got stuck into the dirty work as well. Photo: Tina Jenner
7. Tom Naylor 7
Tom Naylor 7 Picked up second balls, loose balls, connected the play and pressed. Photo: Brian Eyre
8. Ryan Stirk 7
Ryan Stirk 7 Played the furthest forward of the midfield three and it was his cross that was judged to have been blocked by the arm of Araujo for the spot-kick. Worked hard off the ball. Photo: Submitted